In a Cox Automotive Consumer Brand Tracker study in September, 64 percent of consumers said their opinions were influenced when a vehicle earned a Kelley Blue Book award.

Editors at KBB.com reviewed 2018 model year cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs, narrowing 300 new-vehicle models to a list to 12. The winners were evaluated based on price, performance, reliability and five-year cost-to-own data that include depreciation, insurance, maintenance, financing, fuel consumption and taxes.

The annual winner list changes as models are redesigned and resale values shift. Micah Muzio, a managing editor at Kelley Blue Book, noted that consumers can save thousands of dollars when they consider the overall ownership costs.

With the electric and hybrid category getting more competitive, 50-state accessibility helped push the Honda Clarity plug-in to the top,

"There's a $7,5000 tax credit, which brings down the price. It seats five comfortably and drives like a normal car," Muzio said. Judges also noted the five-passenger seating and 47 miles of all-electric range.

The Trump administration and Republican leaders in Congress are pushing for a tax bill that would eliminate the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit.